BITS & PIECES

So you’d like to know where the photo was taken?

By Emory SchleyColumnists

Published: Thursday, June 13, 2013 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at 6:19 p.m.

My last column each month has a photo taken somewhere in Beautiful Marion County, and readers are asked to identify the site. I announced the names of those who took part in last month’s competition, along with the winner. What I did not do was tell you where the photo of the park bench beside the gurgling water was taken. This was actually a test to see if you were paying attention, and I’m happy to report a number of readers were.

The omission was an oversight on my part. The photo was taken at Rainbow Springs State Park north of Dunnellon off U.S. 41. The bench is just off the path between the two waterfalls.

My apologies to those readers who were left wondering.

WHO WAS PRESIDENT?: A recent column asked who was President of the United States on Sunday, March 4, 1849, at 2:30 p.m. Both the day and the time are significant.

William Schenk, Ocala, wrote: “’Old Rough and Ready’ (Zachary Taylor) took office on March 4, 1849. He died in office July 9, 1850, of gastroenteritis.”

Bill, Taylor actually was sworn in on March 5, 1849.

Mary Ann Smith, Silver Springs, wrote: “Zachary Taylor. He served the remaining term of nine months after James Polk died in office on that Sunday, March 4.”

Mary Ann, it’s true Polk’s term ended March 4, but he did not die in office. He died June 15, 1849.

Roger Peterson, Summerfield, wrote: “Sly, I really enjoy your column and it truly is an educational column. Your question is an interesting one, and was fun to research. The answer is David Rice Atchison, who was president for the day because James Polk’s term ended on Sunday, March 4, 1849, and his successor Zachary Taylor refused to be sworn in on a Sunday. From what I read, President Atchison made very few mistakes during his term of Presidency as he slept most of the day. Some recent occupants of that office might envy his Presidential record, don’t y’think?”

Gloria Chapman, Ocala, wrote: “Re: The president on March 4, 1849, at 2:30 p.m., I believe it was David Rice Atchison.”

Donna Bachhuber, Ocala, wrote: “The president on March 4, 1849, was David Rice Atchison.

He was president from noon Sunday, March 4, until noon Monday, March 5. He was filling in as President until the inauguration of President Zachary Taylor.”

Penny Freshwater, Ocala, wrote: “The President on March 4, 1849, was David Rice Atchinson, who served from noon on March 4 to noon March 5 before Zachary Taylor was sworn in. I love the brain teasers!”

Barbara Jones, Ocala Palms, wrote: “The man who was president on Sunday, March 4, 1849, at 2:30 in the afternoon, was David Rice Atchison. He was president for one day. On Monday, Taylor was inaugurated as president.”

Sharon Leard, Ocala, wrote: “David Rice Atchison.”

Ahah! We have some history lovers out there, apparently.

David Rice Atchison, for whom Atchison, Kansas, was named, never claimed to have been President of the United States, although his tombstone states he was “President of the United States for one day.” (See a photo of the tombstone at: http://tinyurl.com/atchisonphoto).

Polk’s term ended at noon on a Sunday, and Taylor refused to be sworn in on a Sunday, the Christian day of rest, so he was sworn in the following day, even though his term had officially begun at noon the day before.

As the U.S. Senate’s President pro tempore, Atchison, some sources surmise, was technically Acting President for a day. (Presidential succession was changed during Harry S. Truman’s term in the 1940s.)

It’s a minor footnote in history that some scholars and historians continue to debate, although most consider Taylor to have been President starting at noon on Sunday even without his being officially sworn in.

FORT McCOY REUNION: The annual Fort McCoy High School reunion and homecoming is set for 11 a.m. Saturday, June 22, at the Dr. Percy F. Lisk Memorial Center on County Road 315 in Fort McCoy. Attendees are asked to bring a covered dish, family members and friends, and memories to share.

For more information, call Hoyalene Parramore Thomas at 236-2790.

SPEAKERS AVAILABLE: Ocala’s Bob Echols wants the public to know the Marion County Master Gardeners Speaker Bureau is accepting invitations for a Master Gardener to speak to groups within the county. Speakers address a variety of topics, including turf, gardening and pest management. The service is free. Arrangements can be made by calling 671-8400.

ANOTHER QUESTION: “Abstemious” means not self-indulgent, especially as it relates to eating or drinking. What highly unusual characteristic does the word “abstemious” have?

Send comments to slyguy73@gmail.com and include your FULL name and town. This column appears each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and online at www.ocala.com.

<p>My last column each month has a photo taken somewhere in <i>Beautiful Marion County</i>, and readers are asked to identify the site. I announced the names of those who took part in last month's competition, along with the winner. What I did not do was tell you where the photo of the park bench beside the gurgling water was taken. This was actually a test to see if you were paying attention, and I'm happy to report a number of readers were.</p><p>The omission was an oversight on my part. The photo was taken at Rainbow Springs State Park north of Dunnellon off U.S. 41. The bench is just off the path between the two waterfalls.</p><p>My apologies to those readers who were left wondering.</p><p><b>WHO WAS PRESIDENT?:</b> A recent column asked who was President of the United States on Sunday, March 4, 1849, at 2:30 p.m. Both the day and the time are significant.</p><p><b>Steven L. Smiley</b>, Ocala, wrote: “Emory, don't throw us such a softball. James Knox Polk!”</p><p><i>Now, Steven, you didn't really expect to find a “softball” question here, did you? Read on … .</i></p><p><b>William Schenk</b>, Ocala, wrote: “'Old Rough and Ready' (Zachary Taylor) took office on March 4, 1849. He died in office July 9, 1850, of gastroenteritis.”</p><p><i>Bill, Taylor actually was sworn in on March 5, 1849.</i></p><p><b>Mary Ann Smith</b>, Silver Springs, wrote: “Zachary Taylor. He served the remaining term of nine months after James Polk died in office on that Sunday, March 4.”</p><p><b>Mary Ann</b>, it's true Polk's term ended March 4, but he did not die in office. He died June 15, 1849.</p><p><b>Roger Peterson</b>, Summerfield, wrote: “Sly, I really enjoy your column and it truly is an educational column. Your question is an interesting one, and was fun to research. The answer is David Rice Atchison, who was president for the day because James Polk's term ended on Sunday, March 4, 1849, and his successor Zachary Taylor refused to be sworn in on a Sunday. From what I read, President Atchison made very few mistakes during his term of Presidency as he slept most of the day. Some recent occupants of that office might envy his Presidential record, don't y'think?”</p><p><b>Gloria Chapman</b>, Ocala, wrote: “Re: The president on March 4, 1849, at 2:30 p.m., I believe it was David Rice Atchison.”</p><p><b>Donna Bachhuber</b>, Ocala, wrote: “The president on March 4, 1849, was David Rice Atchison.</p><p>He was president from noon Sunday, March 4, until noon Monday, March 5. He was filling in as President until the inauguration of President Zachary Taylor.”</p><p><b>Penny Freshwater</b>, Ocala, wrote: “The President on March 4, 1849, was David Rice Atchinson, who served from noon on March 4 to noon March 5 before Zachary Taylor was sworn in. I love the brain teasers!”</p><p><b>Barbara Jones</b>, Ocala Palms, wrote: “The man who was president on Sunday, March 4, 1849, at 2:30 in the afternoon, was David Rice Atchison. He was president for one day. On Monday, Taylor was inaugurated as president.”</p><p><b>Sharon Leard</b>, Ocala, wrote: “David Rice Atchison.”</p><p><i>Ahah! We have some history lovers out there, apparently.</i></p><p>David Rice Atchison, for whom Atchison, Kansas, was named, never claimed to have been President of the United States, although his tombstone states he was “President of the United States for one day.” (See a photo of the tombstone at: http://tinyurl.com/atchisonphoto).</p><p>Polk's term ended at noon on a Sunday, and Taylor refused to be sworn in on a Sunday, the Christian day of rest, so he was sworn in the following day, even though his term had officially begun at noon the day before.</p><p>As the U.S. Senate's President pro tempore, Atchison, some sources surmise, was technically Acting President for a day. (Presidential succession was changed during Harry S. Truman's term in the 1940s.)</p><p>It's a minor footnote in history that some scholars and historians continue to debate, although most consider Taylor to have been President starting at noon on Sunday even without his being officially sworn in.</p><p><b>FORT McCOY REUNION:</b> The annual Fort McCoy High School reunion and homecoming is set for 11 a.m. Saturday, June 22, at the Dr. Percy F. Lisk Memorial Center on County Road 315 in Fort McCoy. Attendees are asked to bring a covered dish, family members and friends, and memories to share.</p><p>For more information, call Hoyalene Parramore Thomas at 236-2790.</p><p><b>SPEAKERS AVAILABLE:</b> Ocala's Bob Echols wants the public to know the Marion County Master Gardeners Speaker Bureau is accepting invitations for a Master Gardener to speak to groups within the county. Speakers address a variety of topics, including turf, gardening and pest management. The service is free. Arrangements can be made by calling 671-8400.</p><p><b>ANOTHER QUESTION:</b> “Abstemious” means not self-indulgent, especially as it relates to eating or drinking. What highly unusual characteristic does the word “abstemious” have?</p><p><i>Send comments to slyguy73@gmail.com and include your FULL name and town. This column appears each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and online at www.ocala.com.</i></p>